Mechanical baseball game



G. E. BROWN.

MECHANICAL BASEBALL GAME.

APPLICATION FILED OCT. 5, 1920.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

.L mam CT mutt/7P5 O O O l INVENTOR GeaI xy Q Ea WMEW Patented Dec. 13,- 1921.

e. E. BROWN.

MECHANICAL BASEBALL GAME. APPLICATION man OCT. 5, 1920. 4

I LQOQQQO. I Patented Dem 13, 1921.

3 $HEETS-SHEET 2.

G. E. BROWN.

MECHANICAL BASEBALL GAME.

APPLICATION FILED on. s, 1920.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

Ffrg. 6

INVENTOR GemyeEdwazdDzva/n "3 nix? g ISfiORNEY S iihillilfi STATES araar GEORGE EDWARD BROWN, OF SEATTLE, WASHINGTOhT.

MECHANICAL BASEBALL GAME.

income.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, GEORGE EDWARD in the county of King and State of lVash-,

ington, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Mechanical Baseball Games, of which the following is 'a specification.

My invention relates to an automatic or mechanical baseball game and means, for operatin the same to permit the playing indoors of a game founded upon the accepted form of the game of baseball.

it is an object of my invention to produce an indoor baseball game which employs mechanically operable figures to pitch and bat the ball in such a manner that points may be scored for or against a side by the manner in which the ball isbatted.

A further object of my invention lies in the provision of mobile figures representing basemen or fielders which may be positioned to intercept the batted ball, and of other figures representing base runners which may be advanced about the bases according to rules agreed upon.

A further object is the provision of afigure representing a catcher in position behind the batter and provided with means for indicating balls and strikes.

Another object of my invention is to provide operating means for the pitcher and batsman which maybe operated substantially simultaneously, the pitcher to throw a ball and the batsman to strike thereat. In connection with this object it is an object to produce operating means for the purpose described, which are reliable in operation to throw the ball toward the batsman, possibly slightly in advance of the striking of the batsman thereat, but leaving suflicient latitude in the operating mechanism, by means of adjustments or otherwise, so that the operations of pitching and batting do not always, and in fact seldom ever, produce exactly the same result in the batting of the ball, thus simulating the constantly-varying conditions andv situations of the outdoor game. Y My invention comprises thosenovel parts and combinations thereof which are shown in the accompanying drawings, described in the specification, and particularly defined by the claims terminating the same.

In the accompanying drawings I have tuating Specification of Letters Patent. Patentgfl D 13, 1921.

Application filed October 5, 1920. Serial No. 414,788. I

shown my invention in a form which is now preferred by me.

Figure 1 is a view showing in perspective the general appearance of the playing field with the pitcher in position to deliver "the balland the batsman in position to strike thereat.

Fig. 2 is a bottom plan view of the acmechanism for the pitcher and batsman. v V j i I Fig. 3 is a sectional View along the central line of the playing field including the positions of the catcher, batsman and pitcher, and showing a portion of the actuat ing mechanism. I

Fig. 4 is a vertical section through a representative fielder figure.

Fig. 5 is a transverse section through: the

type of bat which I prefer to employ.

As it is my object to produce a mechanical baseball gamle which shall, as nearly a as possible, simulate the game of baseball, I provide a series of mobile figures, 4t, repre: senting fielders and basemen which are adaptedto be positioned upon the playing field 5. The playing field is laid out with a diamond 50 and an outfield, the latter being divided bythe line 51 into sec-' tions 52 and53} A fence 54 may also be provided surrounding the field. A figure 1, representing the pitcher, is positioned in the center of the diamond, facing a batsman 2 who is positioned at the home plate, and

a catcher 8,'who is situated behind the batsman. The positioning of these figures is substantially the same as of the players in the regulation game of baseball and the ball 12. As herein shown the ball 12 is provided with a hole or socket therein which is adapted to fit upon'a pin 13 secured in the lever 11. By throwing the lever 11 forward, after it has been thrown back, and by stopping it suddenly, by means of the buffer 29. the ball 12 is projected forwardly toward the batsman'2. The means for accomplishing this Willa-be later described.

The batsman 2 is provided with a hat 6 which is extended outwardly and adapted to be swung substantially in a horizontal plane. This may be accomplished by pivoting the bat and, as shown herein, the batsman as well upon a vertical pivot 20 which extends upward from the playing field 5. As the ball 12 is projected toward the bat 6 the bat is swung to strike at the ball by means to be hereinafter described. The mechanism controlling the motion of the lever 11 and the pivot 20 is so adjusted as to causethe batsman to swing the hat 6 at about the time the ball 12 should reach this position. The result is in many cases that the ball is struck by the bat and the value of the hit so made is determined by the rules agreed upon.

Occasionally it will happen that the bat will not strike the ball. The catcher 3, posit-ioned behind the batsman, has a pair of mitts extending forward, and between them, and preferably pivoted in these mitts, as shown at 31, is a plate 32. The mitts 30 serve to delimit the position of the home base. A throw which does not strike the mitts 30 or the plate '32 between them may be counted a ball. A throw which strikes the plate 32 between the mitts 30 and which is not struckby the hat 6, may be counted a strike. By pivoting the plate 82 and holding it frictionally or otherwise in a substantially vertical position, it is possible to determine by its displacement after athrow,

whether or not the ball has struck the plate 82. It should be mentioned here that the bat 6 might be held fixed in position in front of the plate 32 and not swung as de scribed above. This, however, cuts down the element of chance and uncertainty by half and I prefer to construct the apparatus with a swinging bat.

Suitable means are employed for actuating the pitching arm 11 and the pivot 20 controlling the bat 6. The means which I have shown herein and which are best illustrated in Fig. 2, contemplate the use of independent spring-actuated means. I provide a spring 14, preferably adjustably held by one end, as shown at 15, and secured at its other end to the lower end of the lever 11. A suitable catch, shown herein as the shoulder 16 upon the pivoted spring catch arm 17, is provided for holding the lever 11 in pitching position. I may also provide stops 18 and 19 for the ends of the catch arm 17 to limit its movement toward and from the lever 11.

The spring-actuated mechanism for the pivot-axis 20 is shown as consisting of a spiral spring 21 secured by one end to the pivot 20 and held by its other end in any one of a series of hooks 22. By securing this end of the spring 21 to different hooks 22, the tension upon the spring may be adjusted, or other suitable adjusting means may be employed. A catch arm 23 is secured upon the pivot axis 20, and a shoulder 24 therein is engageable with a shoulder 25 upon a fixed spring arm 26. A buffer 27 may be employed to limit the amount of rotation possible to the pivot axis 20.

Preferably a setting mechanism is em ployed which is common to the two catch arms 23 and 11, although this is not essential. The setting mechanism which I have shown consists of a lever 7 which is engageable with the arm 11 to move it into position where it is caught bythe shoulder 16, and a similar lever which is engageable with the catch arm 23 to catch its shoulder 24 upon the shoulder 25. Links 71 connect each of these levers 7 and 70 to a lever 72, to which is connected a cord 7 3 running about a pulley 74. By pulling upon the cord 78 through the medium of the plunger 7 5, the levers 7 and 70 are operated to move their respective catch arms'into operative position, thus increasing the force of the spring attached thereto. A spring 76 may be employed to return the setting mechanism to its original position. The setting lever 7 serves as a buffer or stop for the lever 11 when the latter is tripped.

The tripping mechanism preferably is also common to both the pivot axis 20 and thepitching lever llQbut it may be so arranged as to trip the pitching lever 11 very slightly in advance of the batting axis 20. The two tripping actions, however, are substantially simultaneous. The trip for the pitching arm 11 consists of a pivoted trip lever 8 which is engageable by its end 81 with the spring catch arm 17 to move the latter sidewise so that its shoulder 16 releases the arm 11, whereupon the spring 14 throws the upper end of the lever 11 carrying the ball 12 forward to pitch the ball. At the same time, the tripping lever 80, by its curved end 82, engages the fixed spring catch 26 to one side to disengage the shoulders 24 and 25. This permits the spring 21 to swing the axis 20 through approximately a quarter turn, or until the arm 23 contacts with the buffer 27 The trip arms 8 and are connected through links 84 with a lever 85 which is operable through the plunger 86 or some other suitable member. A spring 87 serves to return the tripping mechanism to its original position when the plunger 86 is released.-

I may use any type of bat which may be found suitable. The bat which I employ, however, and which is illustrated herein, has been found excellently adapted for the purpose. This consists of a plate 60'which is secured to the pivot 20 and which is of spring like material, preferably spring metal. The plate 60 forms the base'of the bat. Upon the striking side of the plate 60 I place a layer of resilient material 61, such, for instance as cork. Upon the opposite side I may place a weight 62 to add momentum to the blow struck by the bat. The, cork 61' permit of variations in the positionof the bat in the batsmans hands. These variations are to some extent responsible for the variations inthe direction and force behind proximately of the side, proportionately, of

the batted ball. I

The construction of the figures. of the various players may be variedto suit the requirements. The form which is illustrated -in Fig. 4 consists ofa center or body portion of molded material, ,suclras rubber. About'this is wrapped a series of wires 41, which are extended at their ends to form the legs 42 and the arms 43. of the legs 42 receive the molded or cast feet '44 which are broad enough to. make the figure knocked down, and the endsof the arms 43 receive mitts-45 and 46. 'One of these mitts, as 45, maybe inthe shape'and apa bare hand, while the mitt4may be made larger, to represent the gloved hand of the fielder. The entire body of the figure is wrapped with alayer of -fabric, as 4' 7, to represent the players clothing, a head 48 is secured in place to form the head by a pin 49, and'the whole. is surmounted by a cap 39. A figure so constructed is substantial, not easily knocked down, and provides a sufficiently large target to be placed inthe probable path of a batted ball. 7 I

Rules may be formulated to suit the de sires of the players. In general the .fielders are so positioned, near theiraccepted posi-.

tions on the field by theside which is out, as to be struck by a batted ball. A batted ball striking one of the fielders may be counted as an out for that batsman. If the ball strikes the fielder before it has struck the playing field, the batsman is out on a fly. If the ball has struck the playing field first the batsman is out on a ground ball. Such batted balls may govern the advancing of base runners or it may be decided that the base runners may not advance unless he is forced ahead by a succeeding base runner, due to a fairly hit ball.

For the purpose of determining which balls are fairly'hit, the lines forming the outer edges of the diamond and corresponding to the foul lines, include between them fair territory. All balls falling in fair territory or going over the edge of the board or fence 54 touching fair territory and not striking one of the fielders, is counted a fairly hit ball. Balls'striking the diamond 50 may be 'counted as one-base hits.

The ends self-supporting and -not easily counted as two-base hits,'while.bal1s falling base hits. Fair balls flying off the edge of the board or over the fence 54 may be-count-- ed as home runs; Balls batted but not fall in the outer field "53 are counted. as threeingwithin the fair territory are counted as foul balls. These may strike the catcher and upon a third strike;

be countedas caught to retirethe batsman.

The batsman may strlkeout by having the pitcher deliver three strikes without his,

. batting the ball into fair territory, The.

batsman may take first'base by reason of the pitcher delivering four balls which do not strike within the confines of the mitts 30 and the plate 32 of the catcher, and not struck by the batsman.

In general, the

rules which apply to the game of baseball apply to the present game. It hasgenerally been found most satisfactory tofpermit adjustments ofv the pitcheror the'batter only by agreement. between. the opposing players and atcertain specified times or under speclfied conditions, in the game, forthe reason that, a slight adjustment of either of these factors maltes a considerable difference in the action of thebatsman relative to the ball. I L o W hat I claim as my invention is:

1. In a mechanicalbaseball game, a figure representing a batsman, a ball, means for delivering said ball towardthe batsman, a weighted bat, and means flexible in th'e plane of swing for supporting said bat from the batsman above the surface of the playing field, and means for swinging said bat'above the surface of the playing field.

'2. In a mechanicalbas'eball game,' a ball,

means for pitching said ball, a figure representing a catcher, twoplates representing mitts extending" forward from said figure,

and plate pivotally secured between said mitt plates and adapted to be frictionally l held in position, and to be moved when struck by said ball to indicate a strike.

3. A bat for use in a mechanical baseball game, having an upright pivotalsupport for one end, whereby the bat maybe swung, and comprising a plate of spring-likematerial, and a resilient facing therefor positioned upon one side of the bat and outwardly of I its supported end to leave a neck flexible in the plane of swing betweenthe facing and the support for the bat.

41A bat, for use in amechanicalbase-ball game including a plate of spring-like ma: terial, an upright pivotal support for one end thereof, whereby the bat maybe swung,

a resilient facing upon one side'of the plate and forming the striking face of the bat,

and a weight-upon the opposite side of said plate, said weight and resilient facingbeing outwardly of the secured end of said plate, to leave a neck flexible in the plane of swing taining said pitching lever and bat in pitching and in battingpositions. respectively, a common means for engaging said pitching lever and bat With their respective catches,

and a common release for both of said catches, operable upon both substantially simultaneously. 1

7. In a mechanical'base-ball game, in combination, a pitching lever, a spring actuating means therefor, a swingable bat, a spring actuating means for said hat, a common means for increasing and holding the force of 'each-ofsaid spring actuating means, and means for substantially simultaneously tripping both said spring-holding means.

8. In a mechanical base-ball game, in combination, a pitching lever, a spring actuating means therefor, a catch arm secured to one end of said spring and a fixed catch therefor, a swingable bat, a spring actuating means for said hat, a catch arm secured to one end of the bat actuating spring and a fixed catch therefor, a commonmeans for engaging both said catch arms with their respective catches thereby. to increase and hold the force of each spring actuating means, and a common means for substantially simultaneously releasin said catch arms from their catches.

9. I n a mechanical base-ball game, in combination, a pitching lever, a spring actuating means therefor, a catch arm secured to one end of said spring and a fixed catch therefor, a swingable bat, a spring actuating means for said bat, a catch arm secured to one end of the bat actuating spring and a fixed catch therefor, a common means for engaging both. said catch arms with their re spective catches thereby to increase and hold the force of each spring actuating means,

and two trip levers operable from a common source to release each its respective catch arm from its catch substantially simultaneously. Y I V 10. In a mechanical base-ball game,.in

combination, a pitching lever,a spring actu- V, ating means therefor, a catch arm secured to one end of-said spring and a fixed catch therefor, a swingable bat, a spring actuating means for said bat, a catch arm secured to one end of thebat actuating spring and a7 fixed catch therefor, a pair of setting'levers operable from a common source and engageable each with itsrespective catch arm to engage the latter with its catch, thereby to increase and hold the force of each spring actuating means, and means forsubstantially simultaneously releasing said catch arms from their catches. p I

11. In a'mechanical base-ball game, in combination, a pitching lever, a springactu ating means therefor, a catcharm secured to one end of said spring and a fixed catch therefor, "a swingable bat, a spring actuating means for said bat, a catch arm secured to one end of the bat actuatingspring and a fixed catch therefor, a pair of setting levers operable froma common source and engageable each with its respective catch arm to engage the latter with its catch, thereby to increase and hold the force'of each spring actuating means, and two trip, levers operable from a common source to release" each its respective catch arm from its catch substantially simultaneously.

Signed at Seattle, King county, Washington, this 28th day of September, 1920.

GEORGE EDWARD BROWN; 

